Frances Langford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Frances Langford
Langford in 1946
Born	Julia Frances Newbern-Langford (1913-04-04)April 4, 1913 Hernando, Florida, U.S.
Died	July 11, 2005(2005-07-11) (aged 92) Jensen Beach, Florida, U.S.
Occupation	Singer, actress
Years active	1931–1956
Spouse(s)	Jon Hall ​ ​ (m. 1934; div. 1955)​ Ralph Evinrude ​ ​ (m. 1955; died 1986)​ Harold Stuart ​ (m. 1994)​

Frances Langford (born Julia Frances Newbern-Langford, April 4, 1913 – July 11, 2005) was a famous American singer and actress. She was very popular during the "Golden Age of Radio" and also appeared in many movies and TV shows for over 20 years.

People knew her as the "GI Nightingale" because she was a beloved entertainer for the American armed forces. She often toured with comedian Bob Hope to perform for soldiers.

Early Life and Discovery

Frances Langford first trained to be an opera singer. When she was a young girl, she had a tonsillectomy, which changed her singing voice. Her high soprano voice became a rich contralto, which is a lower female voice. Because of this, she started singing more modern big band and popular music styles.

When she was 17, she sang at local dances. A cigar maker named Eli Witt heard her sing at a party. He was so impressed that he hired her to sing on a local radio show he sponsored. This was her first step into the entertainment world.

Radio Star

After a short time in a Broadway musical in 1931, Frances moved to Hollywood. She soon appeared on Louella Parsons' radio show Hollywood Hotel. This helped her start her movie career.

In the early 1930s, her singing on the radio caught the attention of Rudy Vallée. He invited her to be a regular singer on his popular radio show. From 1935 to 1938, she was also a regular performer on Dick Powell's radio show. Later, from 1946 to 1951, she starred with Don Ameche in the radio comedy The Bickersons. She played Blanche, the "insufferable wife," and their funny arguments were a big hit.

Movie Appearances

Frances Langford made her first movie, Every Night at Eight, in 1935. In this film, she introduced her famous song, "I'm in the Mood for Love". She then appeared in many other movies.

Some of her popular films include Broadway Melody of 1936 (1935), where she sang "Broadway Rhythm" and "You Are My Lucky Star." She also appeared in Born to Dance (1936) and Too Many Girls (1940). In Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942), she played Nora Bayes and sang the well-known song "Over There" with James Cagney.

Frances also appeared as herself in some movies, like Broadway Melody of 1936 and The Glenn Miller Story (1953). In The Glenn Miller Story, she sang "Chattanooga Choo Choo" with the Modernaires.

Entertaining Troops During World War II

Langford with Bob Hope (second from left) and General George S. Patton on Sicily in August 1943.

Starting in 1941, Frances Langford was a regular singer on Bob Hope's radio show, The Pepsodent Show. Hope began holding military entertainment programs at March Field in California. These shows were so successful that he continued broadcasting from military bases across the country. He asked Frances to join him on these tours.

During World War II, she traveled with Bob Hope and other performers on USO tours. They visited soldiers in Europe, North Africa, and the South Pacific. They entertained thousands of GIs (soldiers) far from home.

Bob Hope once shared a funny story about Frances. At a USO show in the South Pacific, Frances began to sing her signature song, "I'm in the Mood for Love." A soldier in the audience quickly shouted, "You've come to the right place, honey!" This made everyone laugh.

During the war, Frances also wrote a weekly newspaper column called "Purple Heart Diary." In it, she wrote about her visits to military hospitals. She entertained wounded soldiers and shared their stories. She used her column to ask the public to support the troops and make sure they had everything they needed.

Her work with Bob Hope continued for many years. In 1989, she joined him again for a USO tour to entertain troops in the Persian Gulf.

Television Career

Langford and guest star Jerry Colonna on Frances Langford Presents, 1959.

In the late 1940s, Frances Langford worked on The Spike Jones Show. She also starred in a short-lived variety show called Star Time in 1950. Seeing other stars like Perry Como and Jackie Gleason on TV inspired her to do more television work.

She hosted two of her own variety shows. She then teamed up with Don Ameche for The Frances Langford/Don Ameche Show (1951). This TV show was a spin-off of their successful radio series The Bickersons, where they played a funny, arguing married couple. Frances also hosted the NBC musical variety program Frances Langford Presents (1959).

Personal Life and Legacy

Frances Langford was married three times. Her first husband was actor Jon Hall (1934–1955). In 1948, they donated land near her home in Jensen Beach, Florida, to the county. This land became a park, now known as Langford Park.

In 1946, her childhood hometown of Lakeland, Florida, honored her. They named the beautiful Lake Mirror Promenade the Frances Langford Promenade because of her work with the USO and her entertainment career.

After leaving Hollywood, Frances enjoyed boating and sport fishing. In 1955, she married Ralph Evinrude, who was the president of a company that made boat engines. They lived on her estate in Jensen Beach. They also built a Polynesian-themed restaurant and marina called The Frances Langford Outrigger Resort on the Indian River. Frances often performed there, and it was a popular spot for both locals and celebrities. Today, it is called the Dolphin Bar and Shrimp House, and you can still see many of Frances Langford's items on display.

Ralph Evinrude passed away in 1986. In 1994, Frances married Harold C. Stuart. They spent summers in Canada and traveled on their large yacht, The Chanticleer.

Frances Langford died at her home in Jensen Beach at the age of 92. She was cremated, and her ashes were scattered off the coast of Florida, as she wished.

Lasting Impact

Frances Langford has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. One is for her movies and the other for her radio work. Both were dedicated on February 8, 1960.

She was a very generous person in her community of Jensen Beach, Florida. She often donated money to local causes. She was a big supporter of the Florida Oceanographic Society, which teaches people about the ocean and its environment. The visitor's center there is named after her and displays some of her belongings, including her collection of mounted fish.

In 2006, the Frances Langford Heart Center opened at Martin Memorial Hospital in Stuart, Florida. This was made possible by a gift from her estate, helping many people with heart health.

Filmography

DVD Release

Frances Langford is featured on the DVD Entertaining the Troops with Bob Hope.

Images for kids

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  Langford with Bob Hope (second from left) and General George S. Patton on Sicily in August 1943, just three days after Messina had been secured

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  Langford and guest star Jerry Colonna on Frances Langford Presents, 1959

See also

In Spanish: Frances Langford para niños